Texas and California advance in their reshaping of the national political landscape

By Miles Parks,

Ashley Lopez, Juana Summers

Published August 22, 2025 at 2:03 PM MDT

President Trump initiated a redistricting arms race when he urged Texas to redraw its congressional map to boost Republicans. It's part of a broader trend of Trump pushing the limits of democracy when it comes to consolidating power.

Miles Parks

Miles Parks is a reporter on NPR's Washington Desk. He covers voting and elections, and also reports on breaking news.

See stories by Miles Parks

Ashley Lopez

Ashley Lopez is a political correspondent for NPR based in Austin, Texas. She joined NPR in May 2022. Prior to NPR, Lopez spent more than six years as a health care and politics reporter for KUT, Austin's public radio station. Before that, she was a political reporter for NPR Member stations in Florida and Kentucky. Lopez is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and grew up in Miami, Florida.

Juana Summers

Juana Summers is a co-host of NPR's All Things Considered, alongside Ailsa Chang, Ari Shapiro and Mary Louise Kelly. She joined All Things Considered in June 2022.

Texas and California advance in their reshaping of the national political landscape

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